9Near hack and the rising feeling of data insecurity in Thailand

13 Sept 10:46 Key points summarised by AI

A hacker named "9Near" claimed to possess personal data of 55 million Thais, including sensitive details, and threatened to release it, hinting at political motives.
The hacker initially backtracked, citing political manipulation, but authorities swiftly responded, leading to the arrest of Sgt-Major Second Class Khemarat Boonchuay, who denied hacking but admitted purchasing data.
The incident significantly heightened public concern over data insecurity in Thailand, despite existing protection laws, underscoring the severe risks of identity theft and fraudulent activities from leaked personal information.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.